On April 2-3, 2019, on the occasion of the Launch of the Global Report on Food Crises 2019, the European Commission in Brussels – on behalf of the Global Network against Food Crises – hosts the high-level event on food and agriculture in times of crisis. Join the international community and civil society in their quest to find ways to work together better. Because solutions exist.

The Network’s consensual approach to improving food and nutrition security inspired the creation of a Global Network against Food Crises. Within this framework, the European Commission will host a high-level event on  April 2-3 on “Food and agriculture in times of crisis”. It aims to mobilize coordinated support for long-term solutions to eradicate hunger worldwide and will launch the Global Report on Food Crises 2019.

Objectives

The high-level event will:

• Set the scene of the current and projected situation with respect to food crises and related trends and drivers based on solid and consensus-based evidence.
• Highlight current and future challenges and opportunities to reduce the risks of food crises, focusing on the role of agricultural livelihoods and related agri-food systems in the framework of social, environmental, economic and security dynamics.
• Review policies, initiatives, tools, and coordination mechanisms currently in place to address food crises, exploring whether emerging and recurrent challenges require changes and adaptive strategies, and defining areas for improvement and innovative solutions and partnerships.
• Draw political, strategic and operational conclusions and define a roadmap to address food crises, ensure food security and eradicate hunger by 2030.

Speakers

Confirmed keynote speakers include:

• Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development
• Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management
• Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development
• José Graziano Da Silva, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• David Beasley, Executive Director, World Food Programme
• Yves Daccord, Director General, International Committee of the Red Cross
• Shenggen Fan, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute
• Djimé Adoum, Executive Secretary, Permanent Interstates Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel
• Mahboub Maalim, Executive-Secretary, Intergovernmental Authority on Development

Participants

The high-level event will bring together some 400 participants from various groups of stakeholders:

•  The members of the Global Network against Food Crises
• Representatives of national governments, notably from countries at risk of food crises (Heads of State, Minister, etc.), cooperation agencies
• Regional organizations and international organizations not part of the Global Network (peace actors including PBSO)
• NGOs, farmers’ organizations, foundations, CSOs
• Research agencies, think tanks, consulting companies
• Investment banks, private sector
• EU institutions the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission services and the European External Action Service (EEAS)

More information

Visit the website for the concept note and details on the speakers.